Wiimote control problems?

One of the dilemmas Nintendo has faced with the Wii is the need to make games accessible to the tired or physically uncoordinated. It's a videogame system after all, not a physical trainer. Nintendo's solution seems to have been exaggerating the motions of the Wiimote, but as MTV discovered at a party hosted by THQ, there may have been unintended consequences to that decision:

"This kind of leeway could be good thing. However, one person's variety is another person's game-breaker. At Dylan's, the THQ Wii game 'Barnyard' primarily featured third-person (third-animal, really) character-based gameplay. It also offered some bonus games. One was darts, which is supposed to be played with the Wii remote held and flicked like a dart — just not released — at the dartboard on the TV screen. The THQ producer showing the game advocated aiming with the Wii remote's laser pointer and then flicking the wrist. But a move from the elbow worked too. So did a move from the shoulder. And so did a flick in reverse, away from the dartboard, a sign of the Wii remote's limitations when it comes to distinguishing different types of motions."

Not every action can be spoofed, but MTV found this problem in more than one game, and it's certainly not what Nintendo has been advertising. Are these just software glitches or will this be a recurring problem with the Wii?

by MacNN Staff